The Da Vinci Code and writing style

Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code has certainly got a lot of attention. And criticism. Of the criticism, I find most interesting the criticism of his writing style. As in, word and phrasing choices.

A good well written example of such criticism is a post in The Language Log titled The Dan Brown Code. It mentions specific points that make it bad writing.

I can't argue with those specific points. I can't argue that they are good, that there's a good reason for Brown to have worded things as he did.

However, frankly, for me as a reader, it doesn't matter. I liked his writing style. Those things which are criticised didn't bother me. They didn't attract my attention, and thus didn't distract from following the story, a story that I did enjoy.

It's all a matter of taste. Different people have different things we like, dislike, or are neutral about. Dan Brown's prose writing is not a negative for me. For me, I'm neutral. When reading the book, it didn't attract attention negatively or positively. For me as a reader, it did the job of conveying the story. For others, it doesn't do that so well, and that's okay.

Racism

We still hear about racism. Personally, I question if racism is the right word. Not that there's not plenty of prejudice out there. But I don't think it's about race.

It's about class. Or perceived class. Not that race, or more properly physical traits, isn't a factor. But only one factor. Not the only factor. Basically, many of us, we either don't like, or are uncomfortable with, those who are different than us. When it comes to differences of social classes, we may respond differently to that discomfort for those we see as above as than to those we see as below us. Deference perhaps to those above us, distain for those below us. Though the discomfort is there both directions.

But, see, we don't make those class judgements based purely on physical traits. Not that it's never a factor. Yes, it probably is, at least for some folks. However, I think it's extremely rare, in the U.S. today, for racial predudice to stand alone without other factors mixed in. If someone treats a poor black different than a rich or middle class black, then something besides racism is going on.

I think we would better be able to counter such predudice if we started calling it by a more accurate term; seeing it for what it is instead of oversimplifying and calling it racism. Call it class prejudice, or maybe classism. And, really, racial prejudice is only one example of the larger problem of predudice towards other social groups. A problem which we see all too much of. Including examples that aren't at all along racial lines.

Reactions to music.

I've been busy lately, and I guess I haven't been motivated to make time to write in here. So, if anyone actually reads this, and if you've been wondering about the lack of posts, that's why.

Now, to the topic of the moment.

It's interesting the different ways people react to really good music. Someone on one music related forum I visit asked if anyone ever laughs because the music is so darn good.

Laughing as a response to music I don't do. I'll laugh at a performer's facial expression sometimes. And sometimes lyrics are worth a laugh. Or stories or jokes performers tell. But not just a "wow that's good" thing.

Sometimes I'll scream or yell after a song in appreciation. Or simply clap.

Othertimes, though, my reaction is quiet. Silent stillness. Which is I suppose a carryover from reacting that way during the song. Not breaking the quiet.

I hope performers understand that reaction. Particularly certain performers who know me. I'd like to think that when the see me quiet after a song, they know it's a positive response to the music.

Another during the song reaction is, sometimes, I just gotta get up and dance. Other songs inspire me to chair dance.

I'm sure my mood affects my reaction, but, also, I think the kind of music affects the kind of response I have.

And I don't think there's one right response to music, or to any given music.

Airplane Travel and Customer Service

The new no liquids in carry-ons policy, frankly, makes for bad custumer service.

The no sharp objects thing was annoying enough. But one's not likely to need those sharp objects while in flight, so it's basically a matter of knowing the rules, and remembering one has those objects in one's purse, diaper bag, briefcase, etc., and thus taking them out before the flight and putting them in one's checked luggage. It's can be annoying, and one can lose valuable items, or ones that are simply useful and annoying to replace. Still, the stuff they've been saying one can't bring on isn't stuff one (most of us, anyway) was gonna use during flight.

But this no beverages thing is different. The other restricted liquids and gels, no problem. But not being able to bring one's own water is way not cool. Yes, one can ask for water from the stewards. And one presumes the stewards will be accommodating. But it's a whole lot easier just to bring one's own. To let people bring their own water so they can keep themselves hydrated is good customer service. I love being able to bring water to concerts. Airlines, however, are no longer allowed to provide the customer service of allowing customers to bring their own water. Which I think is a bad deal not just for the people flying, but for the airlines. Especially the stewards who I suspect are finding themselves doing notably more work since this rule change.

Dark Chocolate M&M's

I like Dark Chocolate. I like M&M's. But there were no dark Chocolate M&M's. I recall wishing for such a product without dreaming that such a product might become reality. Well, now it has. Apparently, they first appeared last year (2005) as part of a Star Wars related promotion. This summer (2006) they have been introduced as a regular product. I discovered them in Las Vegas while visiting M&M's World (a store with all sorts of M&M's related stuff for sale). And, of course, bought some. While there I also bought a t-shirt that says "Completely Nuts". I thought it suited me. :) Well, I'm glad I made that visite to M&M's World, because if I hadn't, it might have been quite a while before I discovered Dark Chocolate M&M's. Which are very good. :)